The WNBA is a subsidized experiment in its 24th (?) year with a restrictive salary cap and roster limit. You see management make dumb moves almost on a monthly basis. Many fine WCBB players have no real shot at the WNBA. Attendance in the WNBA has stagnated. The players are fine, but it is hard to take the WNBA seriously.
Loved reading this thread. Lots of fine analysis.
Most of the European teams draw less fans than the WNBA US teams. The difference is that outside of the US, most teams are supported by company funding. Not sure this model would have any traction here.I was very surprised to learn from the 30 for 30 film about the 1996 women's national team that even back then, American women were making a third of a million dollars and more playing in the European leagues. But now, a quarter century later, the WNBA is still paying peanuts for their summer league. Clearly, the European women's pro leagues have fixed on a commercial model that works for the fans and for the athletes. The WNBA? Not so much.
Perhaps time to cut ties with the NBA.
Funny how in other parts of the world having a good team is a point of pride, whereas in the US it's about making money. SMHMost of the European teams draw less fans than the WNBA US teams. The difference is that outside of the US, most teams are supported by company funding. Not sure this model would have any traction here.
Cities and universities also fund their teams. They do not have college teams in those sports, but rather simi pro and professional teams.Most of the European teams draw less fans than the WNBA US teams. The difference is that outside of the US, most teams are supported by company funding. Not sure this model would have any traction here.
And the teams over in Europe with the most money have the most pride.Funny how in other parts of the world having a good team is a point of pride, whereas in the US it's about making money. SMH
I was very surprised to learn from the 30 for 30 film about the 1996 women's national team that even back then, American women were making a third of a million dollars and more playing in the European leagues. But now, a quarter century later, the WNBA is still paying peanuts for their summer league. Clearly, the European women's pro leagues have fixed on a commercial model that works for the fans and for the athletes. The WNBA? Not so much.
Perhaps time to cut ties with the NBA.
I have a few thoughts on this:
1. I think the fact that they play in the summer is a big part of this. I realize why it's important to play in the summer, but if we could ever get to a point where salaries can compete with Europe and change the W calendar, I think that would help a lot.
2. College sports are just different. There is tradition, rivalries, the crowds are different, the fact that the bands are in the arenas, it's just a completely different atmosphere. And frankly, a far better one.
3. Someone else touched on this, but for me, the incessant bitching about the W, the travel, the salaries, the All-Star game MVP trophy, and all the other complaining they do, is just exhausting. Are they paid the way they/we want? No! Do any of them seem to have any concept of basic business? Also, no. You can't get blood from a rock, yet, the players seem to think you can. Now-I get why they do it, for change, but it just never ends. The players don't even seem to like the league even a little bit. They all come across as hating their jobs and are very public about it. I wish I had endorsement deals and was making $200,000/year at 26 years old.
4. The basketball is amazing and I really enjoy the W, but it doesn't even hold a candle to how much I enjoy college basketball.
5. This year has been especially hard for me to enjoy the WNBA because of the BG situation.
What you posted there resonates with me. I initially watched the WNBA a great deal when it debuted, in part because it was basketball in the summer and I don't care for MLB. I watched closely for a few years then drifted away. It was only since being a regular on the board and the summer of 2020 in the bubble I've paid close attention again. The amount of complaining and teeth gnashing about the league from its players is a huge turnoff. I get they want more money, better travel conditions, and the chance to win games but some of them act as though they would rather just not worry about the WNBA. Well, then they should just play overseas and rest in the summer.1. The whining and general disdain for the league by the players, particularly the stars. Back in the day WNBA players absolutely loved the league and felt so fortunate to be able to play in the US. Now it feels like constant griping rather than hearing anything positive about the league. This year has been even worse with several stars bailing on their team mid season or demanding trades to specific teams and threatening to sit out. If all of them are so unhappy, I don't know why they don't play exclusively overseas where the money is better or find different careers they're more fulfilled by.
Liz Cambage, James Harden, Trevor Bauer, and DeShaun Watson, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, Roger Clemens. All absolutely personify the entitled arrogant hypocrisy that is prevalent in (especially) the NBA and the WNBA and unfortunately, beginning to manifest in other pro sports as well! Of course, the owners, unions, agents and Franchises that enable and tolerate this kind of behavior are almost as bad. I realize I’ve lumped together a wide range of misbehaviors above and am not suggesting that arrogance and entitlement are equal to some of the absolutely criminal and disgusting actions of some. However, in my humble opinion, most of the behaviors that are represented in the (very small) list above, all have their genesis in the idea that they are somehow better, and not bound to follow the same standards as the rest of us. I used to be an avid pro sports fan but I have become so disgusted with it that I rarely even think about it anymore. Judging from the tanking of their ratings, I’m pretty sure many others (to varying degrees) feel the same!